Besides, what is "objective" is in itself subjective to the individual interpreting the meaning of objectivity.
Yes, of course they can
No way, people are way too prejudiced
Don't know and don't care
What was the question again?...
Besides, what is "objective" is in itself subjective to the individual interpreting the meaning of objectivity.
I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book! When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
A ball dropped falls at the rate of 32 ft per sec per sec. That is an objective statement. If one objective statement can be made, others can too.Originally Posted by dramasnot6
Last edited by Virgil; 10-27-2007 at 03:55 PM.
LET THERE BE LIGHT
"Love follows knowledge." – St. Catherine of Siena
My literature blog: http://ashesfromburntroses.blogspot.com/
32 ft*s^-2, meaning acceleration due to gravity... I always thought such constants were based off of a standard that we established a while ago. Can it still be an objective statement, if the basis of this statement is somewhat subjective (the variations of the SI, fps, cks)?
In what way is that a subjective statement? I don't understand. What variations are you talking about?
LET THERE BE LIGHT
"Love follows knowledge." – St. Catherine of Siena
My literature blog: http://ashesfromburntroses.blogspot.com/
well, the units of measurements: 32 ft per sec squared versus 9.8 meters per sec squared and so on. Feet and meters were determined by people who felt that using intervals that were known to them (in this case, an actual foot, and the ten millionth of the distance between the north pole and the equator, respectively). Isn't that subjectivity?
Different units have nothing to do with subjectivity. The ball drops at the same rate whether in ft per sec per sec or meters per sec per sec.
LET THERE BE LIGHT
"Love follows knowledge." – St. Catherine of Siena
My literature blog: http://ashesfromburntroses.blogspot.com/
If Virgil and I agree on this matter, that humans can be objective, does that count for anything?
Just random, disjointed, word association: objectivity, clarity, focus- sincerity, honesty, simplicity, reality.
No need to end this discussion!
Last edited by NikolaiI; 10-28-2007 at 01:28 AM.
okay, that makes sense! I feel stupid...
I always wondered that is it ethical to rely purely on objectivity or some personal judgment (regarding the justice system or situations like that)? I never really had a stance on this because the only place this question was raised up was on TV shows, and I don't give in easily to just one view...
Isn't that a trick question? Since we're all humans don't we all have a conflict of interest?
Not unless they want to ... which can be rare.
Let's not confuse objectivity with objectification, much less empathy. When I contemplate myself I am at once subject and object. When I contemplate you, I may obtain a variable degree of objectivity, but I must do so subjectively.
My favorite comment on objectivity is in Ronald Laing's memoir, Wisdom, Madness and Folly: "the decision to be objective is a subjective decision." You choose to make an objective statement.
And Laing's work is full of the subjective choice to make statements intended to be objectively true. That he subjectively chose to make such a decision does not, of course, inform us as to whether his statements are objectively true or not.
Men are perfectly capable of being objective. Often, however, it's not very different than being completely stupid. Always is even worse.
Perhaps the word is not "stupid" but "uninteresting." Tautologies and unequivocal facts don't make for great conversation at parties...stupidity on the other hand...
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